'Pokémon Go' Release Date Still Unclear, Nintendo Eyeing More Augmented-Reality iOS and Android Mobile Games?
Many fans are waiting for the release of "Pokémon Go," an augmented reality mobile game for Android and iPhone that is being developed by Niantic. The official release date of the game has not been announced but a recent Ingress report in September 2015 said that the game will be released sometime in early 2016.
On the official Pokémon website, Game Freak's Junichi Masuda and director of the Pokémon video game series is also part of the team that is developing "Pokémon Go." The game will not only be introducing Pokémon fans to augmented reality but also a new Pokémon gameplay that can connect "Pokémon Go" to other video games of the franchise.
According to Movie Pilot, the early release date of "Pokémon Go" is unlikely because the game's beta testing is scheduled to end on New Year or after it. Thus, the turnaround time for its rumored release date of Feb. 27 will be too short.
2016 is a big year for The Pokémon Company because it marks the 20th anniversary of the first Pokémon game's release. "Pokémon Go" is the most ambitious plan of the Japanese company yet and it comes with its own companion device.
The Pokémon Go Plus is a small, wristwatch-like device being developed by Nintendo to further enjoy the augmented reality features of "Pokémon Go." The wearable apparatus uses a Bluetooth connection to notify players if a Pokémon is nearby with an LED and light rumble.
"Pokémon Go" will be available for free download via Google Play and the Apple Store. It lets players catch and trade Pokémons as well as battle against other "Pokémon Go" players, per PC Advisor.
"For the first time, Pokémon will roam free in the real world. Pokémon GO will allow players to capture Pokémon who inhabit parks, shopping areas, sidewalks and the countryside all around the world. Imagine discovering a Squirtle hiding along the waterfront in San Francisco, a Bulbasaur at Shinjuku Station or a Pikachu beneath the Eiffel Tower," Niantic founder John Hanke said.
In related news, Nintendo and Niantic are planning a second augmented reality game following "Pokémon Go," per Dr. Serkan Toto. Niantic recently opened a Japanese office on Dec. 3, 205 with Setsuto Murai as lead.
Toto also added a total of $20 million was invested by both parties to be able to develop Pokémon Go and it could very well be possible that Hanke has already prepared some of its new projects for Nintendo. Hanke reportedly thinks that augmented reality gaming will be developed faster in Japan with Nintendo games being the platform for it.
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